this school is essentially bankrupt. look into it won’t be around soon. still want to go?
Heard the same. Conflicted though as it’s such a great place. Moody’s did downgrade last year to unstable due to not much liquidity. Check out Moody’s web site and search Bard report …
Both of these posters have just a couple of posts – seems suspicious to me. Do you have specific links to reputable sources? If so, please post them.
Am a new member… therefore " just a couple of posts"… As I said go to Moody’s Investor web site and register. Search Bard or any school and you can view their " financial health" rating. Also Google " Bard endowment" and you will view several interesting and frank articles. Bard appears transparent and is really quite honest about their finances…
Concerning:
But received a B grade here:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/schifrin/2015/07/29/private-college-financial-health-grades-2015-is-your-alma-mater-at-risk/#373dd9b92f42
The Forbes list is interesting. Plenty of well respected colleges on there that most folks have no concerns about and don’t get written up in the press, with grades of B and lower. I do think the angst about Bard’s finances is misplaced. Plenty of other things to worry about when choosing a school! (Of course, if your child goes somewhere really well endowed you might get chocolate covered strawberries at the parents’ teas as at my older son’s school 
)
Bb3.
whats up with that?
Is that because Bard bought Longy in Boston and has built some pretty expensive facilities in NY?
@inparent Moodys is reputable.
A thorough review of Moody’s report covers many issues contributing to Bards Bb3 rating…and downgrade during the last review. No doubt it considers recent expansion and expense despite the positive academic and growth impact of such (eg. Longy in addition to a program in Newark NJ similar to Bard at Simons Rock…) This is not a criticism , only an informed observation… and it allows me to better understand why our S received no offer of merit scholarship from Bard… and did receive generous offers from three other similar small liberal arts colleges…Many things intriguing about the place that keeps Bard #1 on his list…
Bard only gives scholarships if in their determination there is financial need, except for the Conservatory. @parentgeorgia feel free to message me if you have any questions you think I can answer. My son had a fabulous experience.
http://www.bard.edu/financialaid/programs/bard/
Bard offers merit awards.
@momneeds2no - Yes, Bard offers grants and scholarships - but only to those with demonstrated financial need, including the Distinguished Scientist Scholarship and the Levy Economics Scholarship. I always thought otherwise - that they’re available to everyone, but I asked the admissions department directly when this issue came up on CC recently and they told me, no - no merit to those who have no need. This doesn’t mean that the size of the scholarship would only reduce the family’s contribution to the EFC - it could be greater.
Oh I stand corrected. Not surprising that Bards’ admissions staff contradicted info on the web site.
@momneeds2no - You seem to have some strong negative feelings about Bard. Is there some reason in particular?
@SpiritManager
Since you are very familiar with Bard, Do you know what, if any, austerity measures are in place/
Interesting, not a good position for the school to be in. Wonder if it will limit Financial Aid due to cash flow problems?
@momneeds2no - I haven’t heard of any particular cost-cutting or austerity measures. My son graduated two years ago - money was never an issue while he was there, and I haven’t heard any particular grumblings from the professors I’ve gotten to know through my son. There has been a lot of capital development in the last five years - new dorms and music buildings, a new baseball field. And they’ve raised almost half a billion dollars. http://www.bard.edu/about/150th-campaign/progress/
On the other hand, as I’ve mentioned - there aren’t the extras available at some of the other schools my sons have attended - no chocolate covered strawberries and no funding for summer music festival attendance, for instance. But there wasn’t anything important to my son’s education that was lacking because of finances. And, yes, my son lived in a portable ‘trailer’ the first year - which was his favorite dorm of all.
Is Bard under consideration for your family? If so, and the financial future is of significant concern - have you reached out to them directly with these questions? Are you worried if your child attended Bard that the school would close down while he/she were there, such as Sweet Briar or Antioch?
Bard is known not to be able to meet the full need of students, especially those with high need. They don’t hide that fact but it is a factor to consider. It is one reason why I didn’t apply and also eliminated Bennington and Sarah Lawrence.
Also found that to be true. Interesting how they remain competitive as many similarly well respected small LAC’s offer significant financial aid as well as notable merit aid.